I know CSS on a website is protected under the website's copyright since it is considered part of the overall design. I also know that images used in CSS are copyrightable.

How about when CSS is used to create images?

There is a CSS3 icon set that has a $25 license fee. Another developer claims those images to be copyrighted and that it is illegal to use any of the icons unless you pay the fee. I say you cannot copyright a chunk of code and if I recreate an arrow or disc icon in my CSS (whether I copy his code or write my own) he has no recourse.

3 Answers
3

However, as far as I understand the issue (which may not be very far) any creative work is subject to copyright. This would include such items as CSS styles sheets if your are copying them verbatim (even if modifying them somewhat or replacing parts of them).

CSS is in this aspect no different than source code for example.

The effect of that CSS is however not subject to copyright, so if you reproduce the same effect without relying on the actual code then you should be fine.

I'd say this is quite a gray area. On one side, design can be copyrighted and the effect of CSS produces the design.. however, the result of a computer program can not inherently be copyrighted. I'd definitely consult a lawyer if you worry about being sued or something. (or just use a different design)
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EarlzOct 27 '12 at 3:53

All code (and this includes CSS) is copyrighted as it's a creative work, and all creative works are automatically copyright.

Even these words I'm typing now are copyright, but by using this site I'm agreeing to these terms by which I give up some of my rights to them. However, they are still my words.

If you copy someone else's code you are breaking copyright. However, if you write your own you're not - though by copying the "look and feel" you might encounter problems if you're intent was to mimic and "pass off" (but I'm not a lawyer).

You own the copyright to the post as a whole. You don't own the copyright to the words "are copyright even I'm now these typing" or even those words in order "Even these words I'm typing now are copyright". I see a chunk of CSS the same as a word or sentence - copyrightable as part of a larger whole but not in and of itself.
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EmilyAug 9 '10 at 13:16

@Emily - You can plagiarise without copying the whole text, just a sentence or phrase.
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ChrisFAug 9 '10 at 13:26

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@Emily Yes, no one owns copyright on specific words and similarly no one owns copyright on (for example) a specific class name in a CSS file or on the assigning the value 10em to a font. It is the assemblage of words or (in our case) CSS rules that is subject to copyright. The more you 'borrow' the more likely you are to infringe. Ripping an entire page from a book would be subject to copyright for example, while using any of the individual words (and even some fairly generic phrases) would be perfectly alright.
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KrisAug 9 '10 at 14:58

1

The CSS is copyrightable as has been said. The result of the CSS might be protected as a trademark.
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Dennis WilliamsonAug 9 '10 at 19:01